Support for Legislative Development

UNODC conducted a legislative analysis of 76 jurisdictions worldwide on firearms-related gender-based violence against women, the findings of which were presented at the plenary meeting of GREVIO in June 2025. The analysis examined how domestic legal frameworks address the intersection of firearms possession and gender-based violence, including domestic violence protection orders, firearms removal provisions and risk assessment mechanisms. The findings informed dialogue with GREVIO members on strengthening legislative responses to firearms-related GBV and will contribute to the forthcoming GREVIO General Recommendation on femicide.  

Legislative reform is a critical pillar of efforts to end violence against women and girls, establishing enforceable protections, clarifying institutional responsibilities, and creating pathways to accountability for perpetrators. Spotlight Initiative works with governments, parliaments, civil society, and traditional institutions to support the development and strengthening of laws that protect women and girls.

In 2025, in Liberia, the Initiative provided technical and consultative groundwork that advanced the Women and Girls Protection Act of 2025, Liberia's most comprehensive legislative proposal to date addressing harmful practices. Inclusive engagements with lawmakers, traditional leaders, civil society, and communities helped build shared understanding and momentum for review and deliberation, reinforced by a national petition of more than 1,000 women and girls advocating for the bill's passage. In Zambia, the Initiative commenced the revision of the Gender Equity and Equality Act through close collaboration with the Gender Division, the Zambia Law Development Commission, and women's rights organizations, ensuring domestic law remains aligned with evolving international human rights standards. In Sierra Leone, a nationwide consultative process engaging over 700 participants informed the review of the Matrimonial Causes Act, laying the groundwork for stronger protections against economic and psychological violence and women's rights to marital property.

Strong legal frameworks, developed through inclusive processes and aligned with international standards, create the institutional foundation on which survivor protection and perpetrator accountability depend. 

UNFPA provided substantial support for legislative development in the following areas: 

• UNFPA supported the process of developing the Inter-American Model Law on digital violence against women of MESECVI.
• In Colombia, Perú, Bolivia UNFPA supported the development of the Child Marriage and Early Union Prohibition.
• In Colombia, UNFPA supported  the adoption of the law to eradicate Female Genital Mutilation.
• UNFPA Djibouti has taken landmark steps toward eliminating FGM through the adoption of a constitutional amendment to Article 16, explicitly prohibiting FGM under the ban on torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. This historic legal reform is reinforced by a national fatwa issued by religious leaders explicitly calling for the abandonment of FGM, marking a critical shift in both the legal and normative environment.
• UNFPA Somalia supported a major milestone in December 2025, when the President of the South West State enacted a law prohibiting FGM. The law criminalizes the practice and reflects a strong political commitment to protecting the rights of women and girls and advancing gender equality.
• UNFPA promoted rights-based law and policy frameworks that are survivor-centred and prioritise platform accountability.In partnership with Derechos Digitales, UNFPA released Guiding principles for law and policy reform to address Technology-facilitated Gender-based Violence: Towards a system of accountability at the end of 2025. These principles are based on a comparative analysis of eight global jurisdictions, predominantly from the Global South. UNFPA and UN Women, facilitated by Equality Now, are consolidating two similar documents set to be released in 2026, as well as exploring CSW opportunities.

In 2025, UN Women continued to support the strengthening of legal frameworks addressing violence against women and girls, translating global standards into national legislation and reinforcing accountability.

In2025, UN Women’s support translated into 32 countries adopting, revising or repealing laws to strengthen the national legal framework on EVAWG. Cumulatively over UN Women’s 2022-2025 strategic note, 148 VAWG-related laws across 29 countries strengthened legal protections, benefiting an estimated 1.36 billion women and girls.

Progress included major normative advances at regional and global levels, notably the adoption of the African Union Convention on the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls, as well as regional instruments such as the Inter-American Model Law on digital violence, contributing to increased legal harmonization and responsiveness to emerging forms of violence. A regional panorama of comprehensive laws on violence against women was conducted across Latin American and Caribbean countries, providing an evidence base to inform public policy design and decision‑making by policymakers.

UN Women also supported legislative reforms addressing evolving challenges, including technology-facilitated violence, conflict-related violence and harmful practices, while working to safeguard existing legal gains in a context of backlash. These efforts were supported by strengthened engagement with civil society, including through the EU-funded ACT programme, which enabled feminist priorities to shape legal and policy outcomes.

Country-level examples include strengthened legislation in Albania, improving protections against violence and enabling women’s political participation.

Overall, these legal reforms enhanced accountability, strengthened protections for survivors, and ensured greater alignment of national legislation with international human rights standards, while improving responsiveness to new and evolving forms of violence against women and girls.

Since its inception, Spotlight Initiative has helped to develop or strengthen 548 new laws and policies addressing VAWG at national, regional, and local levels. Across Spotlight countries, progress has been made to ensure that survivors are protected through formal, informal, and traditional legal structures.  

Examples of legislative development achievements include the following: 

• Liberia: Spotlight Initiative, in collaboration with OHCHR and civil society organizations, successfully advocated for the passage of the Domestic Violence Law and the drafting of the Female Genital Mutilation Bill. Awareness-raising sessions with government officials at national and local levels improved knowledge of the laws and supported its implementation.  
• Zimbabwe: The Initiative supported the inclusion of online violence provisions in the Data Protection act, the first of its kind in the country. The Act now criminalizes the use of information and communications technology (ICTs) for violence against women and children, establishing clear codes of conduct to address technology-facilitated violence. Additionally, the Initiative supported the Zimbabwe Gender Commission in launching the first National Inquiry on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse of Vulnerable & Marginalized Groups, strengthening institutional accountability.   
• Niger: Spotlight Initiative supported traditional justice reform by engaging the Sultan of Tibiri to appoint the first-ever female advisors in a traditional court. One advisor specifically addresses cases of violence against women and girls, while the other focuses on ending child marriage and supporting girls’ education. This landmark initiative enhances survivor access to justice and reduces barriers to reporting violence.  

UN Women also worked with governments, parliamentarians, civil society and other partners to ensure that normative progress at global level was translated into strengthened legal protections against all forms of VAWG, as outlined in the Handbook for Legislation on Violence against Women. Laws are essential, and Countries with comprehensive domestic violence laws report 9.5% lower rates of intimate partner violence compared to those without legislation. Between 2022-2023, with UN women’s support 177 laws were adopted, revised or repealed to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment with a focus on EVAWG.  

Specific examples of UN Women’s work include:

North Macedonia: Supported amendments criminalizing femicide, stalking, and online sexual violence.

• Nigeria: Expanded the Violence Against Persons’ Prohibition (VAPP) Act, increasing its adoption from 25% in 2019 to 97% in 2023.
• Safe and Fair Programme (Asia): Strengthened laws protecting migrant women in:
  • 79 laws and policies were adopted by 2023 through support of this Spotlight Initiative.
  • The Philippines (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, 2022).
  • Thailand (Damages for Injured Person Act amendments).
  • Vietnam (Law on Domestic Violence Prevention and Control, 2022).
• Ecuador: Assisted in implementing a National Protocol for Investigating Femicide, leading to better case tracking and prosecution.
• Femicide Legislation in Latin America: Collaborated with MESECVI to provide a model law on femicide/feminicide, addressing severe violations of women's human rights and analyzing existing legislation to provoke debate and improvement.
• UN Women supported CSOs to successfully advocate against repeal of FGM bans in The Gambia by mobilizing advocacy efforts through AC GBV and the ACT programme.
• Under the Spotlight Initiative, ROAP provided technical inputs to over 130 laws and policies, of which 79 were adopted, enhancing legal protection frameworks for women migrant workers. 

UNFPA plays a pivotal role in supporting governments to develop legislation that is responsive to the needs of survivors while aligning with international laws and human rights standards. Through its technical expertise, human resources, and financial support, UNFPA supports governments in the development and implementation of national laws that effectively address GBV and ensure the protection of survivors. 

One notable example of UNFPA’s advocacy efforts is its successful work in The Gambia, where it helped uphold the 2015 law criminalizing FGM. UNFPA countered repeal efforts by providing technical support, fostering regional partnerships, engaging with parliamentarians, and collaborating strategically with religious and civil society leaders. This work highlights the importance of multifaceted approaches to legislative advocacy and survivor protection. 

UNFPA has also supported legal framework strengthening and the development of National Action Plans for GBV response across the EECA region (Eastern Europe and Central Asia). In 17 EECA countries, the focus has been on domestic violence prevention, protection, and survivor support, which reflects UNFPA’s comprehensive approach to legislation and policy development. 

Progress at regional and national level: 

• In Latin America, UNFPA has advanced critical GBV legislation. Notable achievements include the passage of comprehensive laws in Chile and bans on child marriage and early unions in Peru and Colombia. These legislative advancements demonstrate UNFPA’s active role in shaping policies that prioritize the rights and protection of women and girls in the region. 
• In the Arab States, UNFPA has partnered with the Arab Institute for Human Rights to build capacity in 9 countries for addressing violence against women and girls (VAWG) through the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) reporting process. This partnership highlights UNFPA’s commitment to improving accountability and monitoring mechanisms for human rights issues in the region. 

In Ethiopia, UNODC supported the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs in drafting a national policy for preventing and responding to gender-based violence and organized a national consultation forum on the role of women in peacebuilding and conflict resolution.  

UNODC provided legislative guidance on Albania’s draft gender equality law, aligning recommendations with the United Nations standards and norms in crime prevention and criminal justice. These contributions aimed to strengthen the country’s legislative framework on gender equality. 

In Viet Nam, UNODC, in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), provided advisory services in relation to a draft of a law on domestic violence prevention and control, which was subsequently passed.  

In Nigeria, UNODC supported the development of a gender-responsive five-year strategic plan, standard operating procedures, and a monitoring framework for police accountability and victim support. 

 IOM has provided support to national governments in developing legislative frameworks for reparation programs aimed at redressing victims of CRSV in Iraq, Ukraine and Ethiopia. In Iraq, IOM’s support in partnership with the UN Special Representative for Sexual Violence in Conflict Team of Experts was instrumental for adoption of the Yazidi Survivors Law, and corresponding bylaws, framework which provides reparations to women survivors of CRSV perpetrated by ISIS.  

OHCHR is developing a Regional Protocol to provide practical tools for public prosecutors, forensic experts and others, to guide their investigations into violent deaths of LGBTIQ+ people in Latin America and the Caribbean.